Woman’s arm stuck in machinery at noodle house

Just one day after a 55-year-old man’s left arm was severed in an industrial accident at a Seattle fortune-cookie company, Seattle Fire crews were dispatched to Capitol Hill today where a woman’s arm apparently was caught in a dough-making machine at a noodle house in the 400 block of Broadway East about 12:30 p.m.

Seattle Fire spokesman Kyle Moore said the incident occurred at Samurai Noodle. “When we got there we powered down the equipment and turned off power to the entire business.”

Medics took apart the machine and transported the woman to the hospital with a metal spike from the machine still in the woman’s arm.

“That way she wouldn’t bleed out and she’s stable. It gives doctors more time to figure out the best way to get it out,” Moore said.

Barbara Davis, spokeswoman for the state Department of Labor & Industries, said they have opened an investigation into the incident.

Medics were called to the Tsue Chong Co. at 800 S. Weller St., in Seattle’s Chinatown International District, on Thursday where the man’s arm was severed.

Davis said they are also looking into the injury at Tsue Chong Co. but said it could take months for them to complete their investigation.

About The Today File

The Today File is a general news blog featuring real-time coverage of Seattle and the Northwest. It is reported by the news staff of The Seattle Times and includes stories from The Associated Press and McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.